Shaping machine mechanism



June 3, 1952 H. E. HICKS SHAPING MACHINE MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 23, 1947 June 3, 1952 H. E. HICKS 2,599,388

SHAPING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed May 25; 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WW H M 7/ 14 lqTTO PA/fKS.

June 3, 1952 H. E. HICKS SHAPING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed May 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WWW Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED PATENT ()FFICE SHAPING MECHANISM Harold E... Hicks, Webster Groves, Mo., assignor to Gemco Shaper Company, a corporation of Missouri.

cat o Mar 23,

. 15 Glaims. 1

The present invention relates generally to shaping machines, and the like, and more particularly to a. consolidated shaping machine mechanism controlling manual and power traversing of the work table and manual and power vertical movement of the. cross rail.

An object of the. present invention is. to provide a novel adjustment and action setting mechanism for a shaping machine for selective vertical movement of the. cross rail and traversing movement of the work table.

Another object is to provide. a novel consolidated shaping machine mechanism which incorporates a single actuating hand wheel, or the like, in one position thereof through which. gearing is set for manual or power horizontal move.- ment of the work table and in: another position thereof gearing is set for manual or power verti cal movement of. the cross rail which supports and carries the work table.

Another object is to. provide a novel consolidated shaping machine mechanism for selectively effecting horizontal traversing movement of the work table and verticalv movement of the cross rail which incorporates a dial construction with two graduated scales calibrated for horizontal and vertical movements, respectively, which. al-- ternately automatically line up. with a single index mark to provide readings for: theaparticu'lar movement for which the mechanism. is set- Another object is to provide a consolidated shaping machine mechanism for selectively setting the machine for horizontal traversing. move ment of the work table and vertical movement of the cross rail through a single hand: wheel, or the like, which is. simple andrugged iii-construction, thereby insuring loW maintenance requirements and long service with minimum shutdown due to mechanical trouble.

Another object is to provide a novel adjustment and setting mechanism for shaping machines, and the like, which incorporates. a single member for selectively setting the mechanism to effect horizontal traversing movement of the work table or vertical movement of the cross. rail, and which, in either selected set position, may be employedto horizontally adjust. the work table and vertically adjust the cross rail, re spectively.

Another object is to provide a novel consoli- 1947, Serial N. 749,994

dated shaping machine work table and cross rail setting and adjustment mechanism which may be readily employed by an operator with maximum efliciency even after very little instruction, and which simplifies the setting and adjustment operations to which it appertains.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages. are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. I is a side elevational View of a shaping machine incorporating the present novel setting and adjustment mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view thereof looking towards the work table end;

Fig. 3. is a fragmentary end elevational view similar to Fig. 2, but with the work table removed to illustrate more clearly the cross rail;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. I;

Fig. 5 is: a still further enlarged cross-sectional view on the. line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6- is an enlarged longitudinal central cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 through the clutch and associated constructions;

Fig; '7 is a cross-sectional view on substantial ly the line T-'! of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the present novel adjustment and selective setting mechanism; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the end of the mainf'eed shaft looking at the rapid traverse sprocket and pawl.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 0 indicates generally a shaping machine incorporating the present invention (Figs. l and 2), and I2 indicates generally a consolidated movement setting and adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with the teachings: of the present invention, Fig. 8 showing diagrammatically the layout thereof in asso ciation with the power mechanism I3 of the machine m- The. shaping machine H1 shown in the drawings (Figs. I through 3-) i's-of known construction except for the mechanism l2, and includes a base M and a column or casing l5. Slidably mounted on the: column he is a ram I 6 which supports through the" usual head IT a selected removable cutting tool l 8.

At its front end, the casing i5 is formed with spaced vertical guide members 2:0 which receive complementary channels (not shown) of a cross rail 21 A work table 22 issupported on the cross rail 7.15 for horizontaltraversing movement.

A motor 2 5 controlled by on and on" buttons 23 and 24, respectively, is mounted on the base. I54; (Figs. 1 and .8 and is connected to" the ram I 6 for reciprocation thereof, the connecting means including a belt 26, a clutch 2 1 a selective: speed transmission 28; bull gears 29 and 30 selectively actuated by the speed transmission 26 through gears 3| and 32, respectively, mounted on a shaft 33, a crank pin 34 secured to the bull gear 29 having a crank block (not shown) mounted thereon, a rocker arm 31 (Fig. l) mounted on a supported stub shaft 38 and having the usual slide surfaces receiving the just mentioned crank block to effect reciprocation of the rocker arm 31, and a link 39 pivotally connected to the free end of the rocker arm 31 by a pivot post 40 at one end and pivotally connected to the ram I6 by a pivot post 4|. Hence, rotary movement of the rotor of the motor 25 is translated into reciprocating movement of the ram I6.

The bull gears 29 and 30 are mounted on one end of a shaft 45, the other end of which supports a cam 46 which engages a cam follower 41 suitably mounted in the casing I for oscillative movement. The cam follower 41 is formed to include a gear sector 48 which meshes with a gear sector 49 formed as part of a pawl supporting member 50 which is freely mounted on a main feed shaft 5| rotatively supported by the casing I5. A pawl 52 is pivotally supported on the member 50 on a headed post 53 in position for engaging the teeth of a ratchet 55 keyed to the shaft 5|. A cam 56 supported by an annular member 51 freely mounted on the hub of the ratchet 55 determines the extent of rotary movement imparted to the ratchet 55 by the pawl 52. The cam 56 may be positioned so that the pawl 52 rides over its periphery for a part of its movement, thereby being kept out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 55 for this portion of its movement. Adjusting means for the cam 56 is provided in the form of a lever 60 mounted for rotary movement on the stub shaft 6| supported by the wall of the casing I5, a link 62 being connected at one end to an arm 63 secured to the stub shaft 6| for rotary movement therewith and at its other end to an arm (not shown) connected to the cam supporting member 51. Hence, rotation of the lever 60 is imparted to the member 51 and its supported cam 56, thereby providing for adjustment of the cam 56 to determine the amount of feed imparted to the ratchet 55 at each stroke of the ram I6.

A beveled gear 65 is mounted on the shaft 5| adjacent the ratchet 55, being secured to the shaft 5| for rotation therewith by a spring loaded safety cone clutch 66. Meshing with the beveled gear 65 is a beveled gear 61 secured as by a key to one end of a shaft 68. A miter gear 69 having an elongated hub is connected to the other end of the shaft 68 by a long keyway 1| in the shaft 68 and a key 12. Telescopic movement between the shaft 68 and the hub 10 is thus provided to permit vertical movement of the cross rail 2 I.

The selective movement settin and adjustment mechanism I2 includes the aforesaid miter gear 69 and miter gears 13 and 14, which mesh with the miter gear 69 and which are freely rotatable on a shaft 16. A clutch (Figs. 4 through 6 and 8) is keyed to the shaft 16 between the gears 13 and 14 by a key 11 secured to the clutch 15 by a setscrew 18 and slidable in a keyway 19 formed in the shaft 16. The clutch 15 includes opposed sets of teeth 80 and 8| which are selectively engageable with the teeth of the miter gears 13 and 14, respectively. A shifter device 82 is provided for shifting the clutch 15 which includes a rotatably mounted cam 83 adapted to move the clutch 15 selectively into 1 suitable pin I33.

engagement with the gears 13 and 14 through contact with the walls of an annular channel 84 formed in the clutch 15. The keyway 19 is longer than the shifting requirements of the clutch 15 in order to provide for longitudinal shifting of the shaft 16 independently of movement of the clutch 15, as is more particularly described below.

The shaft 16 is supported, in the main, within a housing 85 secured to one end of the cross rail 2| by a suitable split rin 86 and screws 81, the shaft 16 being rotatable in a bearing 88 supported at the inner end of the housing 85 and a member 89 supported at the outer end thereof. A hand wheel 90 is secured to the free end of the shaft 16 for both rotation and longitudinal movement therewith. A hub 9| is secured to the hand wheel 90 for rotation therewith and receives annular dials 92 and 93 which are frictionally mounted on the hub 9| for independent annular adjustment. The dial 92 includes graduations (Fig. 4) calibrated for vertical movement of the cross rail 2|, and the dial 93 includes graduations calibrated for horizontal movement of the work table 22. The dials 92 and 93 are selectively disposed for reading in conjunction with a pointer 94 on the member 89. A spring loaded ball detent 95, mounted in a well provided in the member 89, cooperates with spaced annular grooves 96 and 91 formed in the shaft 16 to maintain the shaft 16 in selected driving position, as is more particularly pointed out below. Fig. 4 shows the shaft 16 in neutral position.

Near the inner end of the shaft 16 is secured a gear I00 for rotation therewith (Fig. 4). The gear I00 is adapted to mesh with a gear IOI spaced longitudinally therefrom and mounted on the free end of a cross feed threaded screw shaft I02 mounted in bearings I03 supported in the walls of the cross rail 2|. The screw shaft I02 receives a rider nut I04 which is secured to the work table 22 by suitable bolts I05 (Fig. 8).

The gear I00 also is adapted to mesh with a gear I08 secured to the end of the shaft I09 mounted at one end in a bearing H0 and at the other end in a bearing sleeve I II. The shaft I09 has a worm II2 formed integral with the end thereof remote from the gear I08. The worm |I2 meshes with a worm gear II3 (Fig. 8) which threadedly engages an elevating screw shaft 4 (Fig. 3). The worm gear I I3 is mounted in a suitable bearing secured to the cross rail 2| so that rotation of the worm gear 3 effects vertical movement of the cross rail 2 I.

There is provided mechanism for rapidly traversing the cross rail 2| when such movement is desired, which includes for power a motor I 20 mounted on the side of the casing I5 and set in motion through a lever II9 (Figs. 1 and 8). The rotor shaft I2I of the motor I20 has secured to the end thereof for rotation therewith a small gear I22 which meshes with a larger gear I23 secured to a shaft I24 suitably mounted in the casing I5. Also secured to the shaft I24 for rotation therewith is a sprocket I25 around which is trained one end of a continuous chain I26, the other end thereof being trained around a larger sprocket I21 freely rotatable on the shaft 5|. Pivotallyconnected to one face of the sprocket I 21 is a pawl I28 (Figs. 8 and 9) which is urged by a spring I29 mounted in a retainer I30 into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet I32 secured to the free end of the shaft 5| by a As is manifest, the lust described construction prevents the regular feed movement of the shaft 5| from driving the motor I20, but the motor I20 is effective there through to rapidly rotate the shaft 5.I regardless of feeding action from the motor 25, since the pawl I28 in its relation with the ratchet I32 will effect overrunning' of the shaft 5| in the normal direction of feed.

Operation The presently provided selective movement setting and adjustment mechanism I2 is effective, as is clear from the foregoing, through the manipulation of the single hand wheel 90. In Fig. 8, the shaft I6, which is longitudinally movable by the manipulation of the hand wheel 90., is shown in neutral position, the. gear I secured to the end thereof being disposed between the gears IIlI and IE8. The clutch I5. is also. shown in neutral position.

When it is desired to manually adjust. the position of the work table. 22 horizontally, pressure is applied on the hand wheel 90 to move the shaft '35 inwardly to bring the gear Iilll into meshin engagement with the gear IilI. At the same time, the dial 93 is brought into position to register with the pointer 94 on the member 8.9. Rotation of the hand Wheel 90 Will then efiect horizontal traversing movement. of the work table 22 which will be indicated on the dial. 83,. If a zeroing action is being effected, the dial 93 may be rotated manually against its frictional engagement with the hub of the hand wheel 90 to set it to zero position. It is to be notedxthat the spring loaded detent 95 engages the groove 91 in the shaft I6 to maintain the shaft I6 in selected position and the gear I00 in engaging relation with the gear IIlI.

Should it then be desired to manually adjust the position of the cross rail 2|, outward pulling force is applied to the hand wheel 90 to overcome the spring loaded detent 95, after which the shaft it is pulled outwardly until the gear I00. in in meshing engagement with the gear I08.

In this relationship, the spring loaded detent 95 will be in engagement with the groove 9.5,. The dial 92 will be in registry with the pomter 94. Rotation of the hand wheel 90 will then efiect vertical movement of the cross rail 2|, up or down, depending upon the rotation of the hand wheel 90. As in the case. of the dial 93;, the dial $2 may be annularly rotated against its frictional engagement with the hub of the hand wheel 90. for zeroing action.

For power traversing of the work table 22,, the gear Illil is moved into engagement with the gear Illi by pressure applied to the hand wheel 90, as in the case of manual adjustment. The clutch I5 is then moved into engagement with either gear 53 or gear 74 through manipulation of-the shifter device 82. Thereafterwards, when power is applied to the shaping machine II] from the motor 25, the table 22 will be moved an increment following each stroke of the ram I6 when the ram I6 is set for reciprocation, or it will move independently if the ram I6 is 'not connected for movement. The work table- 22 is returned to its initial cutting position by throwing the clutch into engagement with the-other gear 13 or I4, which reverses the rotation of the shaft I6. Rapid return traversing movement is effected by employing the motor I and the mechanism driven thereby which functions as set.

forth above.

Power raising and lowering of. the cross railv 2I- may be elfectedthrough engaging the ear; I00 with the gear Hi8 through the: medium ofithe;

hand wheel 90., engaging the clutch 'I5-with. the gear T3 or 14, depending upon direction of movement desired, and energizing the motor .25.

It is to be observed that the dials 92 and 93 are automatically moved into registry position with the pointer 94 on the member 89 as the gear I00 is moved into engagement with the gears I08 and IIlI, respectively. As is stated above, the dials 92 and 93 are calibrated to indicate the amount of vertical movement of the cross rail 2I and the traversing movement of the work table 22, respectively.

It is apparent there has been provided a selective movement setting and adjustment mechanism for shaping machines, and the like, which fulfills the objectsand advantages sought therefor. 7

It is to be understood that the fore-going description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to beunderstood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements, and rearrangement of parts, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1 In,.a machine of the kind described. including a transversely; movable work. table, a vertically movable. work table support, and power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting the power means: with the work table for power traversing the same and. with the work table support for power .ra-ising .or lowering the same including a single movable. power transmitting member. alternately operatively connectible between the power means and the work table or work table. support.

2. In a machine of the kind described including a transversely movable work table. .a vertically movable work table support, and power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting the power means with, the work table for power traversing the same and with the work table support for power raising or lowering the same includinga single rotatable and axially movable member manually axially movable and selectively manually or power rotated.

3. In a machine ofv the kind described including a transversely movable work table, a. vertically movable work table support, and. power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting thepower means with the work table for power traversing the same and with. the work table support for power raising or lowering the same including a rotatable and ax ally movable member manually axially movable and selectively manually or power rotated, a pair of dials axially movable with saidmember, one dial! being calibrated to read traversing movement of said work table and the other vertical movement of said support, and a single stationary pointer, said dials being movable into registry with. said pointer to correspond to the power connection of the work. table and. support, respectively;

4. In a machine of the kmddescribed including a transversely movable work table, a verti-- cally movable work table support. and power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting the power means with. the work table for power traversing the same and with the work table support for power raising .or, lowering. the same including a. singlewmovablepower transmitting ;member alternately operatively con! nectible between the power means and the work table or work table support, and manually operable means bodily movable for moving said power transmitting member into said selective connecting relation, said manually operable means being manually rotatable to adjust the selected connected work table or support independently of said power means.

5. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement to said table, a rotatable and longitudinally reciprocable member, means connected to said member adapted for selective engagement with said support actuable means and said table actuable means, means for moving said member selectively longitudinally to engage said means connected thereto with said support actuable means or said table actuable means, means for rotating said member to effect movement of the selected actuable means, said means including a single member mounted for rotational and reciprocal movements adapted to receive and transmit push and pull forces and rotational forces.

6. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, a rotatable and longitudinally reciprocable member, means connected to said member adapted for selective engagement with said support actuable means and said table actuable means, means for moving said member selectively longitudinally to engage said means connected thereto with said support actuable means or said table actuable means, and means for rotating said member to effect movement of the selected actuable means, a pair of annular dials connected to said member for rotation and longitudinal movement therewith, and a single stationary index, one dial being calibrated to indicate traversing movement of said table and the other vertical movement of said support, said dials being disposed to register with said index 7 in accordance with the selected respective actuable means.

7. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, power means including energization means, and mechanism including a force transmitting member for connecting said two actuable means selectively with said power means, said mechanism also including means for manually applying a force to said force transmitting member independently of said power means for selective manual adjustment of said support and said work table.

8. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, power means including energization means, and mechanism including a bodily movable and rotatable force transmitting member for connecting said two actuable means selectively with said power means, said mechanism also including a member for manually both bodily moving said force transmitting member and applying a rotational force to said force transmitting member independently of said power means for selective manual adjustment of said support and said work table.

9. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a Work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, power means, a longitudinally movable and rotatable shaft having a gear secured to one end, a hand wheel secured to said shaft, said hand wheel being adapted to receive manual push-pull and rotational forces, said gear being selectively connectible through longitudinal movement of said shaft with said two actuable means, and clutch means connecting said power means with said shaft for selective forward and reverse drive, said shaft being selectively manually rotated through said hand wheel and power rotated through said power means in any longitudinal position thereof.

10. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a Work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, power means, a longitudinally movable and rotatable shaft having a gear secured to one end, a hand wheel secured to said shaft, said hand wheel being adapted to receive manual push-pull and rotational forces, said gear being selectively connectible through longitudinal movement of said shaft with said two actuable means, clutch means connecting said power means with said shaft for selective forward and reverse drive, said shaft being selectively manually rotated through said hand wheel and power rotated through said power means in any longitudinal position thereof, a pair of dials supported on said shaft adjacent said hand wheel, and a single stationary pointer, one of said dials being calibrated to read traversing movement of said work table and the other to read vertical movement of said support, said dials being movable with the shaft and being adapted to selectively register with said pointer in accordance with the selected actuable means.

11. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a work table support, means mounting said work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, power means, a longitudinally movable and rotatable shaft having a gear secured to one end, a hand wheel secured to said shaft, said hand wheel being adapted to receive manual push-pull and rotational forces, said gear being selectively connectible through longitudinal movement of said shaft with any one of said two actuable means, clutch means connecting said power means with said shaft for selective forward and reverse drive, said shaft being selectively manually rotated through said hand wheel and power rotated through said power means in any longitudinal position thereof, a pair of dials supported on said shaft adjacent said hand wheel, and a single stationary pointer, one of said dials bein calibrated to read traversing movement of said work table and the other to read vertical movement of said support, said dials being movable with the shaft and being adapted to selectively register with said pointer in accordance with the selected actuable means, said dials being of annular form and being frictionally mounted on the shaft, said frictional engagement permitting annular movement of said dials for zeroing, and the like.

12. In a machine of the kind described including a transversely movable Work table, a vertically movable work table support, and power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting the power means with the work table for power traversing the same and with the work table support for power raising or lowering the same including a single movable power transmitting member alternately operatively connectible between the power means and the work table or work table support, and a single power reversing mechanism operatively connected to said member for reversing the power application for both traversing the work table and vertically moving the table support.

13. In a machine of the kind described including a transversely movable work table, a vertically movable work table support, and power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting the power means with the Work table for power traversing the same and with the work table support for power raising or lowering the same including a rotatable and axially movable member manually axially movable and selectively manually or power rotated, and a single power reversing mechanism operatively connected to said member for reversing the power application for both traversing the work table and vertically moving the table support.

14. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a work table support, means mounting said Work table support for vertical movement including means actuable for imparting vertical movement to said support, a work table supported by said support for traversing movement, means actuable for imparting traversing movement to said table, a rotatable and longitudinally reciprocable member, means connected to said member adapted for selective engagement with said support actuable means and said table actuable means, means for moving said member selectively longitudinally to engage said means connected thereto with said support actuable means or said table actuable means, means for rotating said member to effect movement of the selected actuable means, and a single power reversing mechanism operatively connected to said member for reversing the power application for both traversing the Work table and vertically moving the table support.

15. In a machine of the kind described including a transversely movable work table, a vertically movable work table support, and power means, in combination, mechanism for selectively connecting the power means with the work table for power traversing the same and with the work table support for power raising or lowering the same including a single movable power transmitting member alternately operatively connectible between the power means and the work table or work table support, manually operable means bodily movable for moving said power transmitting member into said selective connecting relation, said manually operable means being manually rotatable to adjust the selected connected work table or support independently of said power means, a pair of dials axially movable with said member, one dial being calibrated to read traversing movement of said work table and the other vertical movement of said support, and a single stationary pointer, said dials being movable into registry with said pointer to correspond to the power connection of the work table and support, respectively.

HAROLD E HICKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 554,422 Holz Feb. 11, 1896 1,027,549 Kronert May 28, 1912 1,637,969 Sosa Aug. 2, 1927 1,889,930 Morton Dec. 6, 1932 1,960,566 Zimmerman May 29, 1934 2,327,980 Bryant Aug. 31, 1943 

